Owen, who last week signed a one-year deal with Stoke, had been linked with a return to Anfield after Rodgers failed to bring in Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge and Tottenham forward Clint Dempsey - then a Fulham player - before the transfer window closed at the end of August.

But the Reds boss has claimed he had no plans to sign the former England international and wants to give youth a chance.

"Liverpool didn’t consider Michael Owen," Rodgers told talkSPORT.

"If we didn’t get the targets that we hoped to get in the transfer window, I was going to go with what I had.

"There’s no point putting money into the academy and then not giving young players a chance.

"Look at the impact Raheem Sterling has made as a 17-year-old. All I’ve given him is an opportunity and he’s gone on and taken it.

"We’ve got a number of other young talents and hopefully over the coming months we can see them and see how they flourish."

Dani Alves, who has been linked with several Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, is "sad" that Barcelona are yet to offer him a new contract, according to the defender's agent.